The Asian iGaming market is undergoing rapid change, creating what Richard Hau, COO of EMB Mission Bound, describes as “very exciting times” for operators worldwide. Speaking about the evolution of iGaming regulation in the sector, Hau highlighted the unique opportunity for cross-border expansion and the need for greater regulatory cooperation across jurisdictions.
iGaming regulation in a fragmented market
“Asia, as you know, is a highly unregulated market space, so there’s a lot of discoveries that still need to happen,” Hau explained. The region’s evolving regulatory landscape presents challenges, but also opens doors for companies ready to adapt. As more markets implement structured oversight, Hau believes the industry is poised for growth, “It’s great to see more markets coming on board and being much more regulated… it’s an exciting opportunity for a lot of individuals, especially companies coming from the East going to the West and vice versa.”
Despite progress, Hau acknowledges the complexity of differing market requirements. “Jurisdictions are bespoke to each individual market… some are in unison with other markets” he noted. Hau supports greater alignment through iGaming regulation particularly in regions like Europe, stating, “There are benefits to making more harmonisation, especially when you look at grouping zones… that’s potentially a way forward.”
Bridging online and land based operations
Richard emphasised the importance of integrating land based and online gaming to drive efficiency and expand market reach. “Land-based casinos… are highly regulated and you need to make sure that you’re operating in a way that is conducive of best performance, but also for efficiency purposes… having the online arm to make sure you’re reaching more customers… is going to be important as we move forward.”
Looking to established markets such as the UK, Hau believes change there could set the tone globally. “The UK has been an established market for a very long time… it doesn’t move as fast as it should because of the establishment,” Hau admitted. He added, “If they start making the changes, you’ll see those changes ripple across Europe and the rest of the world potentially.”
Building a global iGaming ecosystem
EMB Mission Bound is positioning itself as a comprehensive player in the global iGaming space. “We are striving to create a complete value chain across all of the capabilities in iGaming,” said Hau. The company offers solutions ranging from game development to white-label services, aggregators and payment systems. “Our goal is to create our value across an entire ecosystem… to reach more players in a more consistent way across the board.”
The company already has a significant international footprint, with over 35 locations across Europe and three R&D hubs in Asia including Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore. Hau concluded by highlighting the value of global collaboration through iGaming regulation “It’s a great way for us to convene, to see what’s happening in the latest trends… not just across Europe but globally as well.”